WEEK 18 CFL PICKS 2018

Photo: CFL.ca/Peter Power

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS at TORONTO ARGONAUTS, Friday

At Toronto, Franklin begins his second stint as the starter for the Argos (3-11). He was 1-3 earlier this year before losing the No. 1 job to McLeod Bethel-Thompson. The defending Grey Cup champions won’t be in the playoffs but Hamilton (7-7) comes off the bye just two points out of first place in the East Division having won the two previous meetings.

Prediction: Hamilton.
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SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS, Saturday

At Winnipeg, the Bombers (8-7) have won three straight to move into third in the West Division standings. Matt Nichols threw three TD passes while Andrew Harris ran for 132 yards on 20 carries in last weekend’s 40-32 road win over Ottawa. Saskatchewan (10-5) has also won three consecutive games and six of its last eight.

Prediction: Winnipeg.
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OTTAWA REDBLACKS at EDMONTON ESKIMOS, Saturday

At Edmonton, these are troubled times for the Eskimos (7-8) who’ve dropped three straight and six of their last eight to stand last in the West Division standings. Ottawa (8-6) comes off a 40-32 home loss to Winnipeg as Trevor Harris threw for 349 yards and three TDs. Rookie Lewis Ward has made a CFL-record 40 straight field goals and 43-of-44 overall.

Prediction: Edmonton.
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B.C. LIONS at CALGARY STAMPEDERS, Saturday

The B.C. Lions’ playoff quest faces a stiff test this weekend.

B.C. (7-7) visits the Calgary Stampeders (12-2) on Saturday night. The Lions enter action tied with the Edmonton Eskimos for fourth in the West Division standings while the Stamps are first with the CFL’s best record. But that’s not all. Calgary is a perfect 7-0 this season at McMahon Stadium while the Lions are a dismal 1-6 on the road.

B.C. has climbed back into playoff contention, winning four of its last five games, and is coming off a 26-23 home victory over the Toronto Argonauts. But the Lions will have a different quarterback under centre as veteran Travis Lulay returns to the starting lineup.

Calgary has outscored its opponents 204-116 at home and is 4-2 within the West Division. By comparison, B.C. has been outscored 216-149 on the road and has just two wins in six contests against Western rivals.

Prediction: Calgary.

Last week: 3-1.

Overall: 42-23.


(Canadian Press/Dan Ralph)